Midnight Bisou to Train at Fair Grounds For Saudi Cup

As she did last year, Midnight Bisou will call Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans home over the late fall and early winter months.

The filly did similarly following the 2018 Breeders' Cup, breezing regularly at Fair Grounds from December until early March 2019, though she never raced there. Instead, she kicked off her 2019 season by winning at Sam Houston Race Park in the Jan. 27 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) before her travels took her to Arkansas, the northeast, and finally to California, where she ran second to Blue Prize in the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

This year, a more ambitious test is planned for her season kickoff: the $20 million Saudi Cup against males Feb. 29 in Saudi Arabia. No starts have been planned beyond that race.

"It gives her plenty of time to cool her jets a bit after that incredibly strong campaign she had," co-owner Jeff Bloom said.

That campaign for the 4-year-old Midnight Lute  filly was nearly flawless, resulting in seven consecutive victories, all in graded races, for owners Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing. Only a defeat in the Distaff prevented a perfect season. She was scheduled to be auctioned Nov. 5 at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton's breeding stock sale in Lexington, but was withdrawn when her owners elected to continue to race her.

Visiting her Nov. 7 at Churchill Downs, where her trainer Steve Asmussen keeps a large stable, Bloom said the filly looked well.

"She'll take it real easy for a little while," he said of Midnight Bisou, who ships to New Orleans this week. "We'll keep her comfortable and happy and back off somewhat—not really press on her."

Though Bloom said there is no intention to race Midnight Bisou in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park, he and his partners should have a reason to visit the track that week. Two days before the Pegasus, Gulfstream hosts the 49th Eclipse Awards, where Midnight Bisou is expected to be crowned champion older dirt female of 2019 after victories in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), and Personal Ensign Stakes Presented by Lia Infiniti (G1).

Though Midnight Bisou's season is over, Bloom won't be without another grade 1 opportunity before the end of the year. He said Henley's Joy, fourth in the Nov. 2 Qatar Twilight Derby (G2T) on the Breeders' Cup undercard, is pointing toward the Nov. 30 Hollywood Derby (G1T) at Del Mar.

A millionaire by Kitten's Joy  trained by Mike Maker, the 3-year-old won the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T), his lone victory from 10 starts in 2019.